Dirt Track Travelers

We are a band of individuals that "Crew" a collection of "Mechs" along the Dirt Roads, Tracks, and Paths that others avoid.
As the world around us suffers many changes, and the Wastedlands continue to grow, we move among those living on the edge.
These are our travels and adventures, some good, . . . some not so.

4.9.15

I did score some acid crystals and was
ready to run a mix through the cooling system of the lil Draggin. I
had been putting this off while I did some walling of the cargo bed.
I'd been wanting to make boarding harder for others and maybe keep my
stuff a bit more “unseen”.

Coming to the Compound had given me
the chance to do some of this work and also relocate my entire fuel
processing system inboard. I now felt it was together enough to do a
run out and give the acid a good amount of time to do it's work at
running temps.

16.8.15

Not knowing if the “closure” was natural or man-made, I
rolled on with caution, senses on high alert. A few miles in I see where the road had been damaged and repaired
at a wash crossing. So far it was looking like this had been caused
by storms and flash flooding, that eased some of the tension. Passing
that I soon came to a crossroad in what was once a small, even tiny,
community. Now most of the buildings were slowly turning into mounds
of desert weathered wood, corrugated roofing, and the never ending,
wind blown, array of plastic based trash. To think that at one time
they thought it was a good idea to make anything they could out of
something that didn't easily breakdown into dirt. Turning west I continue on for a bit before running into another
“Road Closed” blockade. I skirt this one as well and roll on.
Some distance on I find the cause, a bridge that's been flood damaged
and no longer connects to the broken pavement of the road. I work my way down into the dry wash and bypass the ruined
bridge. Some time later I discover another one and do the same.

A few more stops to top off the heat exchanger with water and I
arrive at the Oasis compound. By now I know I won't be pushing on to
the Big Playa with the lil Draggin' in this condition.

14.8.15

Leaving the Rock Farm I overheat twice in short order (I was
hoping the first was just because it had been leaking a bit from the
lower hose). Seems like the work on the heat exchanger didn't help
any.

Finally I cross the last set of mountains and start down to the
River, this time of year I'm sure the radiation level is high, but
there's no other way around w/o going far out of my way. Sure enough, I'm reading high yellow on the gauges, temps at 117,
and I'm overheating on the downhill. Damn, I'm going to have to stop
and let it cool, . . . while I try not to burn.

Crossing the River I have two choices, and one has no chance of
topping up water. I take the other and start climbing a mountain
pass, this will get me out of the burn zone and into cooler temps . .
. it just may take stopping a few times on the way up.

Part way up the sun drops behind the peaks, good time to stop,
let it cool, and wire in the new driving lights I've been hauling
around. Earlier this season I had changed out a failing switch, now
was the time to test it w/ these new lights. With the lighting I was able to roll at night, that and the lower
temps were giving me longer runs between overheats. That worked until
late in the night when I pulled off of the route and into a spot
where turning around or night backing was going to be a major
challenge, not an ambush so . . . a place to sleep for the night.

In the morning I find a quick turn-around and start moving south
off the main route. I drive around the “Road Closed” blockage and keep my eyes
open, comms on. Last year this way was open.

15.6.15

I had picked up some build work out at
our friends' place, a place they called the “Rock Farm”. The land
there was a mass of ancient lava rocks and dust that became caustic
mud at every rain. The work was to create a deck that would allow
outside activities in most conditions. They had a source for milled
lumber and a way to move it. So it was time to move out there and set
up camp for real.

13.6.15

Seven days here working on little
upgrades. Like getting that panel I've been hauling around wired in.
Getting closer to having some power accessible in the shelter.

Stykz headed north to work on a
project up at the big Playa. The plan is to reconnect 3 full moons
from now. I'm going to relocate out to what my friends call their
“Rock Farm”. Will be doing some build work out there.

5.6.15

Last night I woke up twice, soaking wet w/ toxic sweat, and once in the early morn to a spattering of rain. At least the burn part is over, now I'll spend an unknown amount of time trying to clear the stuff out of my lungs.

We late started the day heading into the next valley south. This valley has managed to stay as one of the healthier places around. Here we'll pick up both food stock and some supplies for Stykz to work w/. We feel safe enough to split up and do separate missions while listening to the air waves just in case.

Stocked, we meet back up and start rolling farther north and back into the trees. As we move out of the valley and start climbing, the Draggin' blows the last of it's coolant. I search for a place to pull off the pavement and find the remnants of some foundation.

4.6.15

I knew better, rolling down into the
valley w/o wearing my face-filter, now I think I'm toxic.

The day started ok, we did a bunch of
brake tweekin and got them into a state that we were willing to roll
w/. It was going to be a lot of down hill until we reached the
valley, then a small climb out the other side. We didn't need to stop
for anything other than water and Stykz topping of his tank w/ some
of the local fuel. The last time I rolled through here the air
quality was only mid-yellow on my gauges, didn't even check this time.